Abstract: A method for preparing distortion-compensated images on film reticles for e in a plural optical projector readout unit. An oversized matrix of the images is prepared with each legend proportionately positioned in the field of view corresponding to one of the plural optical projectors. A very short focal length lens having one surface flat and the other convex is placed over the matrix with the flat surface adjacent thereto. The images, distorted through the lens, is photographed to produce a film reticle in a size suitable for use in the readout unit. The spherical aberration induced by the lens closely approximates the barrel distortion from the off-axis projection and magnification in the readout unit. In this manner, the image projected on the screen from the film reticle proportionately corresponds to the images in the matrix.